Down stumble into Tailteann Cup final as Fermanagh comeback falls just short

After a season in which Down produced occasionally excellent performances but rarely put strong showings back-to-back, consecutive road trip victories in Longford and Portlaoise were a strong portent in advance of this game

RED ALERT: Eamon Brown of Down celebrates after scoring his side's first goal during the Tailteann Cup semi-final match between Down and Fermanagh at Croke Park in Dublin. Picture: Seb Daly/Sportsfile

Tailteann Cup semi-final: Down 2-19 (2-3-13) Fermanagh 1-21 (1-3-15)

Down stumbled rather than marched into the Tailteann Cup final after a second half where Fermanagh didn’t fall short so much as they ran out of a time against a faltering Mourne County side that looked nothing like the team that was full value for their ten-point lead after half an hour.